[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(17990)
No. 1.
C.O.
295/32
279
RECEIVED May 13 AUG 08
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 25.)
(No. 110.) (Telegraphic.)
MACAO.
Peking, May 25, 1908.
I should be very glad to act in accordance with the proposal mentioned in your telegram No. 91 of the 23rd instant, and do anything I can to assist China and Portugal in arriving at a settlement of the question. I am of opinion, however, that a Mixed Commission on the spot would be required to ascertain all the facts, and that, should both parties give their consent, we might perhaps be represented on that body. I am taking steps to find out whether the Chinese Government would accept our mediation.
Negotiations have been proceeding between the Wai-wu Pu and the Portuguese Minister. The Board, in a note of the 18th May to Baron de Sendal, claim that Lappa was occupied by Chinese troops in 1887, and state that their soldiers cannot therefore be now withdrawn from that district.
In a telegram to the Wai-wu Pu, the Viceroy at Canton charges the Portuguese with having altered the boundaries of Macao on several occasions since 1887, each alteration entailing an addition to Portuguese territory. He further declares that after the "Tatsu Maru" incident the Portuguese removed the buoys which existed previously, placing new ones in their stead on the open sea. The Viceroy also complains that they are now building barracks at Chiu Ao (Colowan), and finally charges the Portuguese with having seized early in this month three fishing-boats plying in waters which Chinese gun-boats have for so long used as an anchorage.
In their note informing Baron de Sendal of the charges contained in the above telegram, the Wai-wu Pu ask for the removal of the newly laid down buoys, the discontinuance of the construction of the barracks at Chiu Ao, and a guarantee that no further arrests of fishing-boats be made in the waters in question.
[2960 bb-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(17990]
No. 1.
C.O.
29532
279
RECE [May 13 AUG 08
SECTION 1.
{
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 25.)
(No. 110.) (Telegraphic.) P. MACAO.
Peking, May 25, 1908.
I should be very glad to act in accordance with the proposal mentioned in your telegram No. 91 of the 23rd instant, and do anything I can to assist China and Portugal in arriving at a settlement of the question. I am of opinion, however, that a Mixed Commission on the spot would be required to ascertain all the facts, and that, should both parties give their consent, we might perhaps be represented on that body. I am taking steps to find out whether the Chinese Government would accept our mediation.
Negotiations have been proceeding between the Wai-wu Pu and the Portuguese Minister. The Board, in a note of the 18th May to Baron de Sendal, claim that Lappa was occupied by Chinese troops in 1887, and state that their soldiers cannot therefore be now withdrawn from that district.
In a telegram to the Wai-wu Pu, the Viceroy at Canton charges the Portuguese with having altered the boundaries of Macao on several occasions since 1887, each alteration entailing an addition to Portuguese territory. He further declares that after the "Tatsu Maru" incident the Portuguese removed the buoys which existed previously, placing new ones in their stead on the open sea. The Viceroy also complains that they are now building barracks at Chiu Ao (Colowan), and finally charges the Portuguese with having seized early in this month three fishing-boats plying in waters which Chinese gun-boats have for so long used as an anchorage.
In their note informing Baron de Sendal of the charges contained in the above telegram, the Wai-wu Pu ask for the removal of the newly laid down buoys, the discontinuance of the construction of the barracks at Chiu Ao, and a guarantee that no further arrests of fishing-boats be made in the waters in question.
[2960 bb-1]
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